10 Things You Can Do To Make God Happy

People enjoy reading lists. They can fun, entertaining, and everyone always looks forward to reading number one on the list or to see if something made it or didn't.

Well, today I'm going to try giving it a shot...but with a Christian twist.

God created mankind with one thing in mind: Love. The Lord wanted to love his children and to be happy with His creation. We aren't just a product of this earth, rather we are the product of an all-powerful and living God! That is who we are and we must not forget our purpose in life: to love God with all our heart and the rest of His creation just as much.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

-Revelation 4:11

So, as God's creation, it is our job and our life's intention to do everything we do for our Lord through Jesus Christ. Though mankind has sinned, our redemption is made through Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection. That is why all things we do for God must be done through Christ.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

-Philippians 4:13

The following things are just a number of possibilities in making God smile.

1. Say "I Love You"

Love is something we are all programmed to do. We are programmed to respond positively to love and negatively when without it. It is also a word that we take for granted. It's very easy to use "I love you" in a joking manner when describing a bucket of chicken wings that hits the spot or messing around with your friend at work. But do we say it enough at home? Do we let our true loved ones know that we love them? I mean, yeah, sure, they should know by now. But there is definitely room for more love in this world. Let us not be afraid to show compassion and sincerity for a change. After all, this is what God wants for He loves us all.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

-1 Corinthians 13:8

(note: in the King James 1611 version of the Bible, charity = love)

2. Pray to God

There are many different things you can pray for but only one way to pray and that is by addressing the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be aware of vain repetitions that the Bible warns against. I do not say "Hail Mary" prayers because it will do no good in the sight of God. Yes, it may seem like an innocent  prayer that addresses Mary, mother of Jesus but be watchful that it does not undermine God. Remember the story of Cain and Abel how both believed on God and offered up sacrifices and works unto Him but only one was acceptable. There is a right and a wrong way to do everything and there is only one narrow path to pleasing God. Pray to God and abandon all man-made creations.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

-1 Timothy 2:5

3. Give to the Poor

There's a woman on the side of the street in New York City begging for pennies. She is dirty and looks like she may be a resident of Penn Station terminal. I am in a rush to catch my train and I'm trying to fight my way through the mob traffic along 8th Avenue. She smiles at me and says, "A penny?" I chicken out and walk right by her. But right as I reach Madison Square Garden, I hear a voice in my head just wanting to scream out, "What are you doing!?" So I turn around and walk a harmless 2 blocks against the crowd and as she isn't looking I put a Lincoln in her cup. It's only $5 and I wish I had more to spare. Her reaction when she noticed was of exceeding joy and thankfulness. I wish I had an hour or two to spare to take her to a diner and grab her some food or maybe buy her a new pair of clothes. But I don't, not yet. And yet there are so many people out there that have that time. I felt better about giving that woman $5 than I did collecting $500 for a Relay for Life walk two years prior. Why? I think it has something to do with the personal satisfaction of knowing you are actually making a direct impact on someone else. While raising $500 one year is a great achievement, I don't feel a return from it like that.

Make it personal and give whatever you can but help someone today. The next chance you get, put your money in another man, woman, or child's hands and say, "God bless you." You could be that difference. Believe it.

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

-St. Luke 21:1-4

4. Preach the Gospel

All Christians at some time in their lives will be required to preach and profess their faith to others. We see people all the time on the streets passing out fliers and soliciting donations for churches or other religious groups. Well, there are other ways to preach the Gospel. One way is to find a person that truly could use Jesus Christ in their life and sit down and befriend them. Love them like Christ loved us. Love them like they need to be loved. Love is unconditional and goes hand-in-hand with preaching. We shouldn't have to preach, rather, we should want to preach. I look around me and I see others that could benefit from knowing Christ and knowing the things that have been revealed to me over time. Well my friends, that is why I am here writing this blog. I want to spread the Word of God and show others that it is good. It is not a history book, rather, it is a living truth. It is the good news that needs to be spread.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

-St. Mark 16:15

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is unto them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

-1 Corinthians 1:17-18

5. Read Your Bible

For years I have made an effort to read one chapter of my Bible every night. Well, let's be honest, that didn't always happen. Some nights I didn't read at all. However, there were nights I read several chapters. I love to say that the Bible is not a history book and I shouldn't. I am part-right and part-wrong. It is a history of the living God, Jesus Christ, the manifestation of the Holy Ghost, and all His witnesses. But it is also a powerful tool that can be used for protection, prosperity, and wisdom. I wrote a blog a while back about using God and the Bible as your weapon against evil. Well, it's true. There are plenty of verses that can be uttered and prayed over that will enable God to work for you. But opposite of defense, we have offense. Read your Bible also so that good things will come about. Pray for prosperity and wisdom and all other things you may be in need of today. Use your Bible to its fullest, whether it's one chapter a night or one book a day.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

-2 Timothy 3:16-17

6. Work Hard

Hard work and dedication to one's profession is pleasing in God's eyes. It's that simple. God wants us to enjoy our work, no matter if it's as simple as washing dishes to corporate paperwork. Jesus had a job as a carpenter like his adoptive father, Joseph. A good work ethic is important to God as it will produce a good harvest. The Bible does say that you will reap what you sow.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

-Galatians 6:7

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

-Colossians 3:23

7. Avoid Confrontation

Do not fight. Do not argue. Do not complain. Do not gripe. Do not murmur unto each other. Be nice to one another and turn the other cheek at confrontation. Fights will never solve anything and it seems like mankind is on pace for never learning that. As Christians, our job will sometimes require us to be the bigger person by admitting fault first. We may know that there was fault elsewhere but the best thing we can do in God's eyes is let him make the judgement. God has reserved that right for himself.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

-Galatians 6:1

8. Repent

Well, you may ask why this isn't the first thing I wrote down? Repenting of one's sins is the gateway to Heaven. It is the start of a new relationship between yourself and God. Perhaps I should have put this as number one but then again, all these things are not meant to be ranked in order. God is forgiving and will accept your apology for your sins as long as you are truly sorry. When you feel like you have done something wrong, even if you have repented before, it is clearly still resting heavy on your heart. Repentance can do no ill unless it is in vain. Let the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse your soul and rebirth you as a new creature in Christ.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

-Acts 3:19

9. Seek God in a Multitude of Ways

My mother is a perfect example of seeking the Lord. She diligently prays, recites scripture, and tries to think of new ways to feel closer to God. Though a person may have found salvation in repentance of sins and accepting Christ into their lives, they can always plunge deeper. Even my uncle and Pastor Dave Kijula tells me how he is still learning. What can we do to seek God? We can pray. We can read our Bible. We can preach. We can interact with other Christians. As long as we do not stray away from the path we are on, we can find out that the path does not end. It continues on and on and on. Inevitably, the path of salvation does finally find its way into Heaven and into the loving arms of the Father. However, until then there is much to be learned on earth and in this natural life. Blessed is the man the seeks the Lord.

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

-Psalm 119:2

10. Obey the Law

Though it may not be easy and though our sins are covered by the blood of Christ, recall what Jesus says each time He forgave a man, "Go and sin no more."

This includes, loving God, one's neighbor (or fellow human being), keeping the Sabbath day holy, honoring one's parents, turning away from murder, adultery, theft, lying, cheating, jealousy, greed, envy, and so on. The Ten Commandments were given to be followed although they were given to also show mankind that they could not be kept. Our bodies may be weak but through Christ and in the Spirit of God we can overcome the temptation to break these commandments. God's law is not to be looked at as a relic. We continue to view the Commandments in our country today as part of our modern day code of ethics. 

The Ten Commandments can be found in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 20, Verses 1-17.

Phew, that was a lot! But hey, if it makes God happy then it is well worth it! Praise the Lord and be blessed!

A Loving Parent

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. 
-Galatians 3:26


If we are God's children, we have won the battle. If we are God's children, we are believers in Jesus Christ and we have found ourselves on a path of righteousness. To be a child of God doesn't take much more than confessing your belief in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as Lord and Savior of your life.


In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
-1 John 3:10


It's so simple to be saved. It should be easy to love one another. Sin has been defeated by Christ by way of the cross! But yet why is it so hard to NOT sin?


God gave us the Ten Commandments and his children break these commandments routinely. Love thy neighbor, honour thy mother and father, and all the "thou shalt not" commandments seem nearly impossible to NOT break. Well, there has to be a reason why. And there has to be a way of understanding it.


The best way I feel to take a look at why we sin and why God offered up His Son to die for those sins is to take a look at our own children. Now, I am not a parent, yet. I am only 23-years-old but I've had the responsibilities of a parent from time to time. While each child is different, it's apparent that each child must be treated with patience and kindness. This is simply because kids don't always listen to what their parents, elders, or caretakers have to say.


When I was young, I had my ways of disobedience. Yes, it is a sin. But it is also a direct reflection of how people act in the sight of God. When a man or woman sins on earth, God the Father in Heaven is met with the same disobedience that an unruly child brings their parent. It takes time but eventually through patience, kindness (or mercy), and sometimes reprimanding, a child will eventually obey.


The Bible does say that God will punish the wicked. God is a parent and just like human beings punish their children, God will judge each one of us. Now, I don't know about you but I want to be judged as righteous and as my uncle and Pastor David Kijula has said, "Receive me with a pat on the back and say 'Well done thy faithful servant.'" 


Let's recap.


1. God is a parent, we are His children.
2. Just like our own children, we disobey our parent (God)
3. A parent needs to show their child direction to correct their disobedience (patience, mercy)


But that's not all of course. As with anything of God, there is love. God is love, after all. He is a loving parent that sacrificed His Son for the forgiveness of sins. 


When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
-John 11:33-36


This verse is a direct implication of Jesus' love for us. As brothers and sisters of Christ, He weeps for us more than you know. God loves us more than we know. Just imagine a parent's love for their own child and magnify that by hundreds, if not, thousands of times. God is our Father in Heaven and His love endures forever. Therefore, God will always treat us the way we treat our own children.


In summation, God gave us children for a reason. He gave us the opportunity to see what it is like to love one's own creation and experience the joy of a guiding and leading a child. And just like a parent is hurt when their child disobeys, that is why God is so hurt when we go astray from His love and plan for us. Therefore, take some time to sit down and pray to God and talk to Him like a parent. God was the first parent and therefore understands everything we are going through when raising or taking care of children. After all, God did create all things. And if you let God into your life, you will not regret the decision as you will find yourself happier than you ever thought you could be. 


So it is what they say:  Parents know best. 


Be blessed and have a wonderful day!